STAMFORD—Seminarians in the diocese of Bridgeport recently gathered at Holy Spirit Church in Stamford for an all-day retreat, followed by Solemn Vespers and dinner with members of the Blessed Michael McGivney Society.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano celebrated Mass for the men, followed by Solemn Vespers.
During Solemn Vespers, Sebastian Sanmiguel Lopez was instituted as a reader and David Klein and Matheus De Araujo Seixas were instituted as acolytes. Each of the candidates were called forward by the bishop. The bishop then spoke briefly to the candidates about the particular ministry and how they are to carry it out in their lives.
Members of the Blessed Michael McGivney Society gathered to share dinner with the men they are supporting.
The McGivney Society was established to provide support to men who are discerning vocations. Society members will help by providing financial support and accompaniment to programs that foster and sustain seminarians in discerning and forming vocations.
The society will make it possible to expand opportunities and support for men who are discerning a priestly vocation, especially in college and post-college. Plans call for developing virtual and in-person discernment support groups, days of recollection/discernment retreats with a particular focus on college students and those in the workforce and sponsoring pilgrimages and young adult conferences on vocations.
“The goal is to cultivate a missionary attitude towards fostering vocations,” said Bishop Caggiano. “Society members are answering the call to renewal in a unique way by fostering discerning, forming and accompanying priestly vocations.”
Music for Solemn Vespers was provided by Dr. William Atwood, diocesan director of music and Allison Savage, cantor.
(For information on joining the Blessed Michael McGivney Society, email Joe Gallagher at: jgallagher@diobpt.org.)
